He went on to undertake research, often in conjunction with the National Museum of Wales, on the ore deposits in the metalliferous mining districts of North and Central Wales.

The work, which continues to the present day (as more mysteries are discovered), led to an MPhil (1995) and the publication of over twenty peer-reviewed papers and a major book-chapter.

He also worked for a time in mineral exploration with the British Geological Survey and then the private sector.

His interest in climate change came via investigating severe weather events and their aftermath and seeing the massive changes that past climate shifts have brought to the Welsh landscape.

In 2011 he joined the international team of volunteers that run and write for the award-winning climate website, Skeptical Science.

Today, he writes books, does occasional Earth Science teaching with the Lifelong Learning department of Aberystwyth University and, in season, does guided shore fishing trips along the Cardigan Bay coast.

When not doing any of the above, landscape and weather-photography, plus more sea-angling, keep him occupied.